Swiss Arms 173 (Patreon)

Swiss Arms

Chapter 173

-VB-

Hans von Fluelaberg

1310

Our march across the Alps was not as dire as our march across the Arlberg Pass.

Part of it had to do with the fact that there were very few passes we needed to cross and the entire way through to Klagenfurt was through one or two contiguous valleys. The first was Puster Valleys. It was part of Henry’s domain, and going through it would not be a problem.

The second part was where things got a little tricky. Between the eastern edge of the Puster Valley and Klagenfurt were three separate valleys that diverge and converge back together: the southern Gail Valley (which was the one I wanted to use), the middle Upper Drau Valley, and the northern Moll Valley. All three valleys ran east to west. All three valleys would flow into the Klagenfurt Basin, which was where Klagenfurt was. 

Gail Valley, the one I wanted to use, was straight from west to east. It was why I wanted to use it. 

“My lord,” one of my few scout riders spoke as he rode up to me. “The lord of Bruneck wishes to greet you and asks that you come in for dinner.”

I frowned. 

Bruneck was just an hour in front of my army. We had skipped over visiting Brixen, which would have been a relief for my troops because of the amenities they offered, because I wanted to travel quickly. And it had only been the middle of the day when we came across it. 

But the sun was setting now, and I didn’t particularly have a reason to say no.

That said…

I looked around. Despite the setting sun casting a shadow over the entire valley, I could clearly see how … not well off things were here. Despite the fact that the war had not reached down here, most of the farmers’ houses were in rough conditions. Like the doors looked like they were one good punch (from a normal person) to falling off. The farms themselves also looked shoddy. It was close to summer now, and despite that, the fields looked fallow. 

Bruneck shouldn’t be affected by the war because it wasn’t part of any Gorizia’s territory; it belonged to the Prince-Bishop of Brixen. 

On top of that, spring was nearly ending, which meant that spring harvest, mostly of cabbage, peas, cucumber, winter squash, and radish, was here. Again, despite spring harvest nearing, I saw little to no greenery.

“Very well. Go and tell the news to the lord of Bruneck that I will dine with him,” I said before turning to my army. I took a deep breath in and made my announcement. “We will rest just outside of Bruneck tonight! You can visit the city to spend your coins, but I better not hear anything about problems!” 

There was a cheer from my soldiers. 

A city meant fresh food, and fresh food was always great news for everyone. 

---

Bruneck was a walled city, but the walls weren’t high or particularly strong. It also looked like the wall was incomplete in some sections while complete but fragile in others. I saw some recent work on it, but those looked too little for the amount of wall that was surrounding the city. 

There was no ditch or dike surrounding the city, either. 

It was … not a very defensible city. 

Which was understandable. This was actually what most medieval cities were like. Places that offered good defense tended to not be great for building cities. Places that was good for building cities weren't the best places to defend. 

Sure, Bruneck was in a valley, but 

As my army drew closer to the city, I saw a man waiting for us. 

When he got close enough, the man in the front and center bowed, which prompted the rest of his people to do the same. 

“Welcome to Bruneck, Count von Fluelaberg.”

To my surprise, the lord of Bruneck had come out personally to greet me. 

Baron Karl von Bruneck looked like a baron: healthy, well-dressed in moderately well-to-do fabric and fashion, and flanked by many guards. 

“Thank you for the welcome, Baron von Bruneck,” I said with a smile. 

He smiled.

Something was off. 

I got off my horse as the baron rose up from his bow. I extended a hand out to him. He looked surprised before he clasped his hand in mine. 

“It seems like you are leading your army… I assume it is to attack the Habsburgs at Klagenfurt?” he asked. “It is,” I replied with a nod. 

“Good,” the baron grunted. “Let me throw you a party for you and your men. We will provide the food and drinks! My good liege, the Prince-Bishop of Brixen, has been getting unwanted advances from them for some time. Make sure to give them a good beating on his behalf, count!” 

I grinned. “I can drink to that!” 

His servants came and began to assist my soldiers in finding places for them to have their food and drinks. 

A stableboy came to take my horse. 

“Please, we can talk in my manor. Do you perhaps have companions you wish to bring with you? Commanders and excellent warriors whom I might provide better treatment to?” he asked.

“I do. I’ll have them join us.”

“Wonderful! I’d like you to hear all about your battles so far! The news I have received of your war has been sparse and far in few between. It would be a boon for me to hear a first hand account.”

He was trying to butter me up.

Like really hard. 

Was he after trade concessions? Maybe he wanted an alliance? He was too far to join the Compact. 

Whatever it was, I would have to listen to him after or on the return trip.

As my men and I entered the manor, I found it brightly lit and filled to the brim with servants hauling plates, food, and drinks around. 

There was even a muscular guard moving a keg under the direction of who I assumed was the majordomo. 

“Count, may I ask how many soldiers you’ve brought with you?” he asked me. 

“Around a thousand,” I told him casually as he led us to what I assumed was his dining hall. And it was. It was far smaller than my castle’s own dining hall, but it was proper for a manor of this size, probably able to hold three dozen people sitting and eating comfortably. 

I was seated at the head of the table and he sat to my right. My men were seated too.

And then I realized something. 

There were women here.

Specifically, I saw girls ranging from mid teens to mid twenties. 

“Ah! You’ve noticed them!” the baron said with a wider grin. “These are my pride, my daughters!” 

“I see,” I hummed. 

He must know that I was married. 

Which meant.

… was he after my men?

It wasn’t long after that they brought out the food. 

Goat meat stew! Lettuce salad with some berries, fruits, and cheese. And strong mead. 

It was … not a bad fare. It wasn’t as great as I could have had it, but I had a lot of money. The baron probably didn’t, comparatively. 

“Let us thank the Lord for this meal!” I said and we all prayed. “Dear heavenly father, I come before you today to thank you for this meal. It has been a long day of marching across these valleys to fight against an enemy who has done many wrong with their greed and jealousy. I pray that this meal with revitalize us and give us strength for the challenges to come. We also thank Baron Karl von Bruneck for the feast he is providing for us and pray that you give him blessings. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

And once the prayer was done, we began to eat. 

It was a good feast. 

The baron and I talked. He wanted to learn more about Fluelaberg. About how I grew it to what it was today in just a decade. 

As the feast wound down, he offered to house me in his manor. He had guest rooms.

I accepted. 

I did not expect to wake up to a dagger failing to penetrate my skin.